Focusing and defocusing of tropical cyclone generated waves by ocean
current refraction
- Rui Sun,
- Ana Beatriz Villas Bôas,
- Aneesh Subramanian,
- Bruce Cornuelle,
- Matthew R. Mazloff,
- Arthur J Miller,
- Sabique Langodan,
- Ibrahim Hoteit
Ana Beatriz Villas Bôas
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Author ProfileAneesh Subramanian
University of Colorado, University of Colorado
Author ProfileBruce Cornuelle
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California
Author ProfileArthur J Miller
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Author ProfileIbrahim Hoteit
King Abdullah Univerity of Science and Technology, King Abdullah Univerity of Science and Technology
Author ProfileAbstract
Waves generated by tropical cyclones can have devastating effects on
coastal regions. However, the role of ocean currents in modifying wave
amplitudes, wavelengths, and directions is commonly overlooked in wave
forecasts, despite the fact that these interactions can lead to extreme
wave conditions. Here, we use satellite observations and wave modeling
to quantify the effects of ocean currents on the surface waves generated
during a tropical cyclone event in the Arabian Sea. As a case study,
this paper documents beams of wave heights originating from the eyewall
of a tropical cyclone caused by current-induced refraction. Alternating
regions of high and low wave heights in the model simulations are
consistent with observations and extend for thousands of kilometers all
the way to 100 m isobath. Our results highlight the importance of
accounting for wave refraction by currents in order to accurately
predict the impact of tropical cyclone generated waves on coastal
regions.Jan 2022Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans volume 127 issue 1. 10.1029/2021JC018112